The story of a 68-year-old American woman who was eaten by a shark has raised a lot of eyebrows…and now friends of the woman have come forward with their own theories about what really happened on that fateful day in Indonesia.
At a glance:
- Colleen Monfore, a 68-year-old American tourist, tragically disappeared while diving off the coast of Indonesia, with her remains later found inside a shark.
- Friends and family believe a medical issue, not a shark attack, caused her death, based on her experience and dive data.
- Shark attacks in Indonesia are extremely rare, with only 11 reported cases since 1749.
Friends of Colleen Monfore, an experienced diver from Michigan, are questioning the circumstances surrounding her tragic death while diving off the coast of Indonesia. Monfore, 68, went missing on September 26 during a dive near Pulau Reong Island, and her remains were found in a shark days later. Despite the gruesome discovery, those closest to her believe that a medical issue, rather than a shark attack, was the cause of her death.
Monfore had just begun a seven-week diving tour with her husband, Mike, when a strong current pulled her away from her group. Despite efforts by the dive guide, she could not be brought back to the boat. A search operation lasting eight days was conducted, but authorities were eventually forced to halt the rescue due to dangerous conditions at sea. It wasn’t until October 8 that a fisherman in neighboring East Timor found human remains in the belly of a shark, which were later confirmed to be Monfore’s through fingerprint analysis.
Rick Sass, a longtime friend of the Monfore family and a former dive shop owner, has expressed skepticism about the possibility of a shark attack. Speaking to The New York Post, Sass revealed that after examining photos, reviewing dive data, and talking extensively with Mike, the family is convinced that Colleen’s death was due to a medical emergency. “Mike thinks she suffered some kind of medical issue in the water,” Sass said.
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Sass and his wife Kim, who had dived with Colleen for over 30 years, emphasized that Monfore was an experienced diver who had completed thousands of dives worldwide, including in challenging environments like Bali and the Philippines. Kim explained on Facebook that while there were strong currents in the area, they were manageable for someone of Colleen’s expertise. “I don’t believe it was the environment and certainly not a shark that ended her life,” she wrote.
The Monfore family and their friends are now grappling with the shock of her death and the logistics of bringing her remains home. According to Sass, Mike has been struggling to get rest, as he remains in constant communication with authorities in Indonesia.
While the incident has garnered international attention, shark attacks in Indonesia remain extremely rare. Since 1749, only 11 unprovoked shark attacks have been reported, and none involved divers. Shark attacks typically occur near Indonesia’s Riau Islands and East Nusa Tenggara.
As investigations into the tragedy continue, those who knew Monfore hope the focus remains on her legacy as an avid nature and animal lover. “She loved nature and animals. I know she would never have wanted a shark to be blamed for this tragedy,” Sass added.
